How to Recover Deleted Messages on iPhone – A Complete Guide

Last Updated on February 20, 2025 by Muhammad Tabish

Accidentally deleted an important message on your iPhone? Don’t worry! Whether you have an iCloud backup, an iTunes backup, or no backup at all, this guide will help you recover deleted messages using different methods. Follow these professional and easy-to-understand steps to restore your lost texts quickly.

Recover Deleted Messages on iPhone
Photo Source: Unsplash

1. Recover Deleted Messages from the ‘Recently Deleted’ Folder

Apple introduced the Recently Deleted folder in iOS 16 and later. If your messages were deleted within the past 30 days, follow these steps:

1. Open the Messages App

Launch the Messages app on your iPhone.

2. Access Recently Deleted Messages

Tap Edit (or Filters in some versions) at the top-left.

Select Recently Deleted.

3. Restore Messages

Choose the messages you want to recover.

Tap Recover and confirm.

Note: Messages in this folder are automatically deleted after 30 days.

2. Restore Messages from an iCloud Backup

If you regularly back up your iPhone to iCloud, you may be able to restore deleted messages by following these steps:

1. Check iCloud Backup Availability

Go to Settings > [Your Name] > iCloud > Manage Storage > Backups.

Select your device to check if a backup exists before the messages were deleted.

2. Erase Your iPhone

Navigate to Settings > General > Transfer or Reset iPhone.

Tap Erase All Content and Settings.

3. Restore from iCloud Backup

Follow the setup process and choose Restore from iCloud Backup.

Select the most recent backup that contains your messages.

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Warning: This will replace all current data on your iPhone with the backup data.

Also Read:

3. Recover Messages Using iTunes/Finder Backup

If you have previously backed up your iPhone using iTunes (on Windows) or Finder (on Mac), follow these steps:

1. Connect Your iPhone to the Computer

Use a Lightning cable to connect your iPhone to your PC or Mac.

2. Restore from Backup

Open iTunes (Windows) or Finder (Mac).

Select your iPhone and click Restore Backup.

Choose the backup that contains your deleted messages.

Click Restore and wait for completion.

4. Use Third-Party Data Recovery Software

If you don’t have a backup, you can use third-party recovery tools such as:

Dr.Fone – Data Recovery (iOS)

iMobie PhoneRescue

Tenorshare UltData

Steps to Use Third-Party Software:

1. Download and install a reputable recovery tool on your computer.

2. Connect your iPhone using a USB cable.

3. Run a deep scan for deleted messages.

4. Preview and select messages for recovery.

5. Restore messages back to your iPhone or export them to your computer.

Conclusion

Losing important messages can be stressful, but with the right methods, recovery is possible. Whether you use iCloud, iTunes, the Recently Deleted folder, or third-party tools, acting quickly increases your chances of success. To avoid future data loss, enable automatic backups via iCloud or iTunes and periodically save important conversations.

By following this detailed guide, you can ensure your deleted messages are recovered efficiently. Need more tech tips? Stay tuned to BlogRankSEO for the latest updates!

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